Mountain bike vs fat bike: What's the difference?!

Welcome to episode 6 of Stupid Simple Bike Chat!

#SSBC is exactly as it sounds. I am more of an enduro bro, who cares more about riding my bike, than tinkering with my bike. My friend Matt, from Bootleggers Bikes in Jeffersonville, Vermont is definitely more of an engineer, who loves to tinker. Together, we are going to break down complicated bike subjects into a simple chat that will help you learn more and enhance your riding. Every episode will be a new and exciting subject, and there are no limits to what we can discuss.

On this episode, we walk through the differences between a Mountain Bike and a Fat Bike. These two styles of bike are similar in many ways, but also have very different purposes at the end of the day. Dig in and learn from scratch or test your knowledge!

If you have any added information or insights on a subject, want to shred our opinions or facts, or any suggestions for future videos, don't hesitate to comment below and share. We want this to be a community discussion and welcome all perspectives!

Most importantly, enjoy the video and be sure to leave a comment below and subscribe for more!

#StupidSimpleBikeChat

MTB Travel Review on Instagram:

MTB Travel Review on Facebook:

[Bertie..]

I just got a Surly Ice Cream Truck, having a blast on the trails. Enjoying it more than my 29r trail bike. I was surprised how nimble and climbs like a goat. 10lbs heavier but not an issue. Looking forward to the snow but in the meantime will continue on the hard pack .

[brazilianfernie]

I ride my fat bike year round on all terrain. I prefer it over my hardtail mtb. I’m way more confident in the gnar on my fat bike and it’s so much FUN

[dullbrass]

Love my Trek Farley. I ride it all year round and it's all I want from a bike. It's got 27.5" wheels and I typically ride it with around 14 psi. You can't compare it to an enduro or downhill bike, obviously. For me it is like a gravel or XC bike and I wouldn't give it up for one of those.
Dropper posts are not for getting on and off the bike, but for faster/safer downhill riding ;)

[pokeygravityryder]

Your image of the wheel size has it wrong. The size refers to the rim size. So a 27.5” Fatbike running 4” tires will have a larger OD than a 29” running 2” tires

[lennylink]

Which one will dampen the vibration the most?
If you installed a shock stop suspension stem would it dampen it further? (I have nerve damage in my arms and need the least amount of vibration through the handle bars)

[matthewlramsey]

My daughter is turning 10… she’s on a 24+ Cannondale Cujo. I ride local trails on a 140/130 trail bike (Stumpy) and have plenty of travel - lots of climbing. Looking at my daughters next bike, should I consider a fat tire riding vs a hardtail? She’s 70ish lbs and will be in an Adult XS frame size. Looking at 27.5 hardtails, probably can’t go north of 7-800 used, thinking the fat bike may be better than a cheap heavy fork? Thanks!

[Pillokun]

The issue is, that modern mountainbikes are pretty much a dirtbike(motorcycle) without the engine if we look how "progressive" the geo has become, it is just a matter of time when mountainbikes also will go down in wheel size and up in tyre size more akin of "fatbikes". After all we are milked slowly by the bike industry so there is for sure dirtbike wheel/tyres waiting for us to be the next best thing in MTB :P

[leonardothefabulous]

Suggest: when talking about specific-physical elements of the/a bike, show close ups all of them-like you did with tire "width" and studs. And, explain terms; I've been riding for over 50 years and have never heard the terms, "Travel, " or "Dropper."

[fpvx]

If your fatbike is slower than maybe you are doing something wrong? When I ride mine here in the mountains it may take a bit to get it rolling, but once it rolls, there is no stopping it, there is always traction which means I can ride no problem where regular MTB struggles. It can jump, it can do salto, you can go uphill well due to the traction... it is definitely my funbike :D

[c.s.]

Fatbikes are pure fun! Never enjoyed riding more!

[another]

To me, neither are really proper all terrain bikes. Such a bike should be the equivalent of a Landrover Defender or similar. It should be rideable anywhere, but aim for slow speed stability. Sand, mud, snow and gravel require your weight to be toward the back for traction, plus big wheels, a higher, more upright position to better balance at low speeds on difficult terrain, and to stop your front wheel digging in. Plus big ground clearance, a bash guard for riding over rocks and logs, disc or sealed drum brakes, ultra low gears and big tyres. 🙂

[tl]

You guys need to take your pedantic mountain bike snob hats off for a second and explain how fat bikes can be good for just weekend riders who want to ride regular forest single tracks. Like my wife, shes a bit clumsy and a fat bike is alot easier for her to trail ride than a skinny fast mountain bike.